intern

UK: ɪnˈtɜːn | US: ɪnˈtɜːrn

Definition
  1. n. a student or trainee who works, sometimes without pay, to gain work experience

  2. vt. to confine someone as a prisoner, especially during wartime

  3. vi. to serve as an intern

Structure
inter <between>
Etymology

The word "intern" originates from the Latin "internus," meaning "internal" or "within." In the 16th century, French adopted it as "interne" to describe a resident assistant in a hospital. By the 19th century, English borrowed it to refer to a medical trainee living within the hospital. The verb form (to confine) emerged during wartime, reflecting the idea of "holding within." The modern sense of a temporary trainee evolved in the 20th century, emphasizing placement "between" education and full employment.

Examples
  1. She worked as an intern at a law firm last summer.

  2. During the war, the government interned foreign nationals.

  3. He decided to intern at a tech startup to gain hands-on experience.

  4. The hospital’s interns often work long shifts.

  5. The program allows students to intern abroad for academic credit.